我姓
wǒ xìng
In Chinese, the phrase to say "my last name is" is 我姓 (wǒ xìng).
The phrase 我姓 is used to introduce your family name. In Chinese, you do not say 'my last name is [Name]'. You simply say 'I am surnamed [Name]'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 我姓 literally means "I am surnamed". Here, 我 means "I" and 姓 is the verb "to be surnamed".
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, which uses a noun phrase ('my last name is'), the Chinese version uses a verb ('姓') directly following the subject ('我').
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ xìng
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating "my last name is" literally as 我的姓是, which sounds unnatural in Chinese. 我姓 is the standard way to express this.
Did you know?
- The character 姓 used in 我姓 is composed of two parts: 'woman' and 'birth', reflecting an ancient period when surnames were passed down through the maternal line.
- In very formal settings, a person may use the phrase 在下 instead of 我 to refer to themselves, essentially saying 'this humble person is surnamed'.
- In Chinese culture, the family name always comes before the given name, reflecting a social priority of the collective group over the individual.
Examples in context
- 我叫张王，我姓张。My name is Zhang Wang, and my last name is Zhang.
- 我姓王。Wǒ xìng Wáng.My last name is Wang.
- 我姓李，很高兴认识你。Wǒ xìng Lǐ, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.My last name is Li, nice to meet you.
- 请问，您姓什么？我姓陈。Qǐngwèn, nín xìng shénme? Wǒ xìng Chén.May I ask your last name? My last name is Chen.
Example conversation
A new student introduces himself to a classmate.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你好，我姓张。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xìng Zhāng.Hello, my last name is Zhang.
- 雨婷 Yuting你好，张同学。Nǐ hǎo, Zhāng tóngxué.Hello, Student Zhang.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你姓什么？Nǐ xìng shénme?What is your last name?
- 雨婷 Yuting我姓林。Wǒ xìng Lín.My last name is Lin.
